TRAVEL

by Scott

Friends have asked me to tell them how I’m able to travel so inexpensively … so I wrote down a few tips.

● Research different travel locations on the web so that if a bargain comes your way, you’ll quickly recognize it as a bargain and be able to jump on it before the flight or cruise fills up.

● Research the destinations on the web before you start: www.frommers.com, www.CitySearch.com, www.Digitalcity.com, www.cnn.com/travel.

It’s "off season" somewhere right now. Why not travel to places you haven’t been on the off season and save 50% right off the bat? Plus, you’ll avoid the crowds: no waiting for good restaurants, no lines for the best museums. I once visited Paris in January and never waited a second in any lines (and no crowd in front of the Mona Lisa!) and the Parisians were glad to see me (unlike if you arrive in the summer with all the other tourists). Also, try traveling in the "shoulder" season … that’s the period between on and off season. Another advantage is that you won’t need reservations since all the hotels and B&B’s will be empty; this will allow for more spontaneous travel and allow you to stop whenever you find a nice town. I once spent eighteen days in England and Scotland without a single lodging reservation … it was in May … I just stopped at B&B’s around sunset … never had a problem until the last night in London … so I’ll temper my advice with this recommendation: have a reservation for your final night before your flight back home.

● Try B&B’s (bed and breakfast). You’ll get inexpensive lodging, personalized service and a local experience. Ask your host if you can join them for dinner.

When traveling in Europe, use the travel books by Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com). The advice is outstanding and the lodging recommendations will save you a lot of money. Also, use the European train system instead of airlines … buy your rail passes before you go to Europe for the best discounts.

● Look for repositioning cruises (search for them using Google.com). These can be a value since the cruise line is interested in getting the ship from one market to another. The entertainment is sometimes thin and port calls few in number, but otherwise still a great cruise experience.

Any cabin is a good cabin on a cruise. You’re only going to be in the cabin to sleep. If you have an inside cabin, then spend your time on deck or in the library where the chairs are comfy and there’s always a magnificent view. Don’t always take the cruise-sponsored shore tours; it’s usually less expensive to hire a taxi or rent a car and then you can customize your shore experience and you don’t have to be shuttled to the cruise sponsored stores (where they take a kick-back!).

● Look for the discount airlines. You won’t find Southwest Airlines on Expedia, Travelocity or Orbitz. Instead, go directly to www.southwest.com for low fares. Similarly, there are discount airlines in Europe including RyanAir, easyJet, Eurowings and Virgin Express.

If you’re over fifty years old, get an AARP card for big discounts on lodging and attractions.

When traveling outside the US, buy a local map and take a compass. In Europe, use the Michelin maps (they show all the back roads and small villages).

  Never let a stranger snap your picture using your camera if he can run faster than you.

  Take clothes you can wash in a hotel sink and will dry overnight.

● Use www.google.com to continually look for deals. The site that had the best deal last month may not be the site with the best deal this month.

● I use www.bestfares.com to search for discount air flights.

● Travel light. Take only one bag. Take pictures as your only souvenirs.  Pre-print your addresses on labels to quickly send post cards.  See Rick Steve’s Pack Light advice at http://www.ricksteves.com/news/0211/packlight.htm .